National Association of Underwater Instructor (NAUI)

The Organisation NAUI

NAUI belongs to the oldest associations in the domain of diving that exist worldwide.  The focus of the association is to offer well-founded training for scuba divers as well as to provide standards within the diving industry.

The history of the association goes as far back as the 1950s, when the interest in diving kept growing on the American West Coast. At that time, Albert Tillman was employed by the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreations and every day he could see how many people put themselves in danger while diving, because they lacked correct training and knowledge.  On this base, he began to develop a training system, which should serve apnoea and scuba divers. The first course on this basis was carried out in 1955 and it was the foundation for the emergence of a diving organisation, which was called Los Angeles at the time.  In 1960, Tillman founded NAUI, together with Neal Hess and Garry Howland, as well as John C. Jones.

Amongst other things, the association became famous due to the fact that the actor Lloyd Bridges became active as diving instructor for NAUI. In the following decades, NAUI kept growing even more. In 1992, it was the very first organisation to include nitrox training into its programme. In 1997, the publication of minimum standards followed, for uniform diving training among different organisations. These standards were used for the development of the ISO 24801 and ISO 24802 norms.

NAUI operates in accordance with EUF certified training.

Courses offered

Introductory Courses

• Passport Diver (Introductory Dive in accordance with ISO 11121:2009)

Tandem Diver

This is a private 1 on 1 diving course for everyone who wishes to enjoy diving at least once and is on holiday for instance.

• Procedure: After a theoretical part, the participant receives sufficient practical training in order to be able to dive up to a depth of 12 m.
• Requirements: The participant must have fundamental swimming skills.
• Minimum age: 10 Years

Beginners’ Courses

Skin Diver

A beginners’ course for all of those who are interested in diving, but who do not wish to do a complete NAUI Scuba Diver course.

• Procedure: There is a theoretical part as well as two dives in open water. The focus is on snorkelling and diving while holding your breath.
• Requirements: Fundamental swimming skills
• Minimum age: 8 Years
• ISO-Certification: Supervised Diver in accordance with ISO 24801-1:2007 and EN 14153-1:2003

Scuba Diver

The Scuba Diver is a beginners’ course, which should make it possible, interested parties to gain an insight in diving.

• Procedure: In the theoretical part, the operating principle of the devices is explained and tips are given regarding safety in water. This is followed by a dive in restricted water in the practical part of the course. Afterwards, there is an open water dive.
• Requirements: Existing swimming skills
• Minimum age: 10 Years
• ISO-Certification: Autonomous Diver in accordance with ISO 24801-2:2007

Advanced Courses

Advanced Scuba Diver

In this course, participants have the possibility to consolidate their training in certain topics and, as such, to improve their skills.

• Procedure: There are at least six dives in open water with three separate dives for navigation or night diving and diving at a depth of 40 m, as well as three more dives depending on the proficiency and the wishes of the divers.
• Requirements: For certified divers as NAUI Scuba Diver or equivalent
• Minimum age: 10 Years

Master Scuba Diver

This course can be taken as consolidation of already existing knowledge.

• Procedure: The course consists of at least eight diving hours in open water, decompression diving as well as night diving are covered among other topics. In addition, the diver has the possibility to choose from different course contents such as Skin Diving and Boat Diving.
• Requirements: Successfully completed certificate as NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver or equivalent.
• Minimum age: 15 Years

Special Courses

• Advanced Skin-diver
• Blackwater Rescue
• Boat Diver
• Computer Assisted Diving
• Deep diver
• Diving Accident Assessment
• Dry suit diver
• Enriched Air Nitrox
• Equipment Repair & Maintenance
• Fish Identification
• Helicopter Emergency Extraction Device
• High Altitude Diver
• Industrial Orientation
• Marine Naturalist
• Oxygen Administration
• Public Safety Diver
• River Diver
• Scuba rescue diver
• Search and Recovery Diver
• Shark Ecology
• Stingray Experience
• Training Assistant
• Underwater Archaeologist
• Underwater Ecologist
• Underwater Environment
• Underwater Hunter and Collector
• Underwater Modelling
• Underwater Photographer
• Wreck Diver
• Nitrox Diver (Nitrox in accordance with ISO 11107:2009)

Professional Sector

• Assistant Instructor (Instructor Level One in accordance with ISO 24802-1:2007 and EN 14413-1:2004)
• Divemaster (Dive Leader in accordance with ISO 24801-3:2007 and EN 14153-3:2003)
• Instructor
• Instructor Trainer
• Course Director
• Technical Diving Training
• Scuba Instructor (Instructor Level Two in accordance with ISO 24802-2:2007 and EN 14413-2:2004)

Find the best Dive Professionals, Dive Centers and Liveaboards on rateyourdive.com

Search now 🙂